WAR WORKERS AND THEIR REWARDS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3138, 17 July 1917, Page 7

WAR WORKERS AND THEIR REWARDS

Hit',—Will you permit me space to air a grievance which has sprung up amuiig women war workers'( What arrogant iinuii lirst conceived tho notion to confer honours upon women war workers, with, 1 presume, tile intention of singling out some as moro worthy than othersWe have so lar- all worked together remarkably woil, and very little has disturbed tho peace and harmony existing between all classes, when, lo—ill's microbe is introduced into our House of lteproscmtatives, emanating evidently from overseas. Should not tho joy of knowing wo have douo right, and t'ho pleasant "Well done.," with perhaps somo little badge l>y way of regal recognition, bo sufficient lor any truly jiuble-uiinded woman. , Commissions for those in office or for deeds of bravery where 0110 lias risked her life, or for years of special sorvico given gratis to tho nation, are all commondablo, but how any distinctions are to 1)6 made between patriotic war workera or donors, with equal fairness, is something more limn mci'o man can sottlo satisfactorily. It is ail iusult to us women lo suppose for a moment anyone! of us would so ilnttir ourselves or allow anyone lo pufl! us up by exalting us abovo our co-workers, for we are as links in a long chain, all equally as important to each other, and no levelheaded Now Zealandar would suppose for a moment that in accepting of such honour 'it would bo likely to carry with it lho respect-of'hev'fellow-women. Our motivo is surely not self-aggrandisement, and this thought, if allowed to germinate, will destroy every good intention, and leave every organiser open lo criticism, so much so, that tho roiincd mind will recoil, lho kernel of our work bo destroyed, the green eyes and dissatisfaction reign supremo.

Lot us analyse the mailer, and perhaps somo nblw pen than mine will (ako if. up and so holp to tiead the monster nut ot existence, then wo may proceed upon lho even Icnor of our way.

A woman in moderate circumstances, with no special social status, littlo, personality, and a: shy, retiring disposition, the only gold slip lias in that within her heart, sho has bravely gono through tho 'trial of parting-with three soils lor Iho Trout, two having since mado llio supreme sacriiice. In her leisure moments, after tho toils of her household duties aro over, sho patiently' knit* or sews for some of Llio various war organisations, giving what she can spare from iter garden plot, or fowl-house, to the Rod Cross f>hop, and so toiling, rejoicing, sorrowing, onward through' life sho goes, hearing, doing, ajid giving lo her utmost, and thero a.ro .Uiousands of such women. It is they practically who keep the hall rolling, yet. whom wo seldom see in His limelight.

Tho irealthr woman, on Hie other hand, lias social status and more confidence. In organise and siiperi'nlenrl, ami is i-nn-Hnuousl.y being called l>cfo.ra the curtain, 60 to speak; whereas really, with so much more time and money'at her disposal her efForb have not been so r.reul. as - the little, woman whom wo never read of. yet ivho is equally as (leseninj; of regal recognition.

1 trust these fr.w remarhs will adjusta few Ihinking-caps, and if we are lu have affixes and orofisw. well—ring I lie liltlo widow and her rnifo well into tho foreground along with tho rest, cthorwiso no self-respecting woman will accept, of an honour to which she cannot honestlr lay more claim Ihan thousands of others.—l am. etc.,.

\Yj\It.\VORTCER AND (YRG-ANISTiR.